THE BALKANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 889, 12 May 1903, Page 1

THE BALKANS.

(Per RADS. Sierra at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, April 23. A cable from London of April 17 says : “ It is no longer denied in Constantinople that tho Albanians have scornfully rejected the conciliatory overtures of tho Sultan's special Commission. “ No official denial is forthcoming to discount tho sensational statement in tho Turkish official paper, Ikdam, that tho German Government has instructed tho Mauser Ammunition Factory in this city to 1 side track ’ Gorman army orders and (ill Turkish orders first, so as to arm the Sultan for emergencies. This is put forward as a strong proof of a cordial entente botweon tho Kaiser and Sultan.” A despatch from London, dated April 11, says: “ With tho inevitableness of fate itself, tho course of ovents in SouthEastern Europe shapes without pity or deviation towards a great- sanguinary

strugglo. A sentence of 15 yoars’ imprisonment on the Albanian soldier Ibrahum, whose shot was calculated as accurately as a murderer’s ever was, amounted to uu insult on the Czar’s Government. That tho Sultan would gladly have him executed nobody doubts, but what is Abdul’s own position 2 Not only are his bodyguards Highland Albanians of the most turbulent type, drawn from tho same bands that attacked Mitrovitza, but the Grand Vizier Ferid Pasha is an Albanian, as is Izid Bey, chief favorite, and tho four chief chamberlains. It will bo to the interest of all these men to keep things as they are. Reform would moan an ond of their system, as it would also mean an end of tho cutthroat raidings of their kinsmen in Northern Albania. These latter roly on powerful frionds to bring pressure to bear on the Sultan, who is as much at their mercy as were formerly Eotnan Emperors in the hands of their Pretorian guards. Tho only alternative left is to discuss tho Eusso-Austrian’s reform scheme.”

An experienced obervor at Odessa, writing on April 7, says : “ All the wisdom of all the Cabinots in Europe might bo embodied in tho Macedonian reform prospect, but tho result would be storilo if its execution wore left to the hands of the Turks, and in tho sequel the situation would bo more dangerously complicated than ever.” “ A despatch from Monastic, Macedonia, dated April G, states : “ A veritable reign of torror exists there. The town is filled with Turkish troops, infantry, cavalry and artillery. Tho entire population not Bulgarian is armed for self-protection—Bul-garians would be arrested if they carried arms openly, hut there are many who go about secretly armed. “ Missions from tho Macedonian bands havo adopted drastic measures. Their committees come into tho town despite the presence of the Turks. Their expedients for arming their sympathisers, whom they secretly enlist, are ingenious. Secret conscript officers visit the Bulgarians who havo not enlisted, and demand their signatures to an oath to riso at an appointed

time. An ammunition tax is levied on every man according to his ability to pay. Those who refused on the ground of loyalty to the Sultan were shot down if the emissaries could easily escape, otherwise they were marked for secret slaughter.” A despatch from Constantinople, dated April Bth, says : It is announced that the Government intends to sond 16 battalions of Anatolian soldiers to Albania, in addition to tho 16 battalions already on the way to occupy tho country, especially the disaffected towns.

I London, 'April OIL A correspondent at Belgrade of tho Daily Mail has had an audionco with King Alexander of Servia. Tho King said tho situation in the Balkans was exceedingly grave, and tho Albanian differences a greater menace to peace than the Macedonian quostion. Ho continued : “ The massing of Turkish troops in Old Servia will force me to take similar steps. Sorvia will not take tho initiative, but if other Balkan States move Servia will not, and cannot, look on, but must protect her vital interests.”